Blogging and me

I’ve a lot to learn:

  1. I’ve not written enough
  2. The content hasn’t been focused
  3. I’ve not pushed myself to write anything longer than 1,500 words
  4. I’ve not asked for feedback from my audience
  5. I’ve not improved as a writer

But I’ve:

  1. Learnt about who I am/not
  2. Pushed myself to explore areas of my life that I’ve avoided
  3. Made friends
  4. Had fun
  5. Walked my talk

For me, I know that blogging is not a substitute for writing, but even if I never publish another book, I won’t give up on blogging. It’s too important. Sure, I’ve struggled to disseminate the personal/private from the professional, but across the entire journey, I’ve never seen a day where I didn’t blog (or share something).

I’ve shared this video of Tom Peters and Seth Godin discussing the merits of blogging. Despite its age, the message hasn’t changed.

If you want to make a difference, leave a legacy and build a tribe (and not just for money or fame), then blogging remains the single most important way to engage with the world.

Perhaps you lack the motivation, passion or belief to write but blogging these days is so much more than the written word.

What about:

  1. Instagram
  2. Vine
  3. Pinterest
  4. Facebook
  5. Google+
  6. Tumblr
  7. Twitter
  8. Storify

And on and on it goes.

I tweeted yesterday the need to share and create your own content. I didn’t just say this for effect (you know the pointy-finger-in-the-air type comment). No, it’s because the world I see is not one replete with repurposed, second-hand content, but great gobs of originality. This chimes with my fundamental belief that stripped to our beingness, we are all creative.

I recognise not everyone wants a life strapped to a computer — making stuff with your hands still beats blowing off steam on Twitter — but, at some stage, you’ll need a little amplifcation if only because your work deserves the attention.

For me, I’m determined to get better…bit by bit. I don’t mind if that means I blog more than I should, I get no applause or my tribe doesn’t coalesce around a subject quite as quickly as I would like. For me, it’s about growing as a person, learning from my mistakes and showing what’s possible with a few simple keystrokes and a bit of determination.

The simple message is: blogging is me and me it.

PS. Over the last weekend I resolved to write more about my experience online, and that’s what I intend to do. I think my experience might be helpful to the people who’ve decided that they want to open up their lives beyond the stilted corporate speak that we’re used to seeing.

PPS. If you’re inspired to blog, please let me know as I would be delighted to shine a light on your work and share it with the world.

scotland.stacie@mailxu.com lechuga_latonia@mailxu.com